DCN Provisioning Engine for Optical Network Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The provisioning of network elements in optical communication systems is complicated by the variety of equipment types and models, leading to potential misconfigurations such as IP address conflicts, which can result in connectivity losses or failures within the network.
Innovation Solution
A data communication network (DCN) provisioning engine with a graphical user interface (GUI) is implemented to model and configure network elements across multiple stations, allowing users to input parameters, validate configurations for conflicts, and generate settings files for conflict-free provisioning, accommodating various equipment types and models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual provisioning methods are used for network elements, then flexibility in configuring different equipment types is maintained, but the risk of misconfigurations and IP address conflicts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of configuration parameters including IP address uniqueness checks before provisioning network elements. The DCN provisioning engine validates configurations against defined rules and constraints, detecting and preventing IP address conflicts and misconfigurations before they are applied to the network, thereby ensuring provisioning accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through automated validation.
2Productivity
If automated provisioning systems are implemented, then provisioning efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DCN provisioning engine is designed as a universal system that can provision multiple types of network elements including optical line terminals, network elements, and data communication network devices through a single interface. The engine implements standardized validation rules and configuration templates that work across different equipment types, improving provisioning efficiency while managing system complexity through unified multi-functional architecture.
3Reliability
If comprehensive validation of configuration parameters is performed, then provisioning accuracy is improved, but the time required for provisioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive validation of configuration parameters including IP address uniqueness, subnet conflicts, and equipment compatibility checks as preliminary actions before final provisioning. The DCN provisioning engine validates all configuration data against defined rules and constraints, ensuring configuration accuracy by detecting and preventing errors before they are applied to the network, while the automated nature of these validations minimizes the time penalty.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for managing a data communication network (DCN) are disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment, and provide planning, maintenance, and validation (e.g., auditing) functionality for the purpose of managing network elements across a plurality of stations/locations associated with an optical communication network. In accordance with an embodiment, a computing device includes a DCN configuration interface and engine. The DCN configuration interface enables modeling of a DCN based on a plurality of user-provided parameters and constraints. The DCN configuration interface may then generate settings files in accordance with the DCN model. The DCN configuration interface further allows previously-generated configuration files to be read in for the purpose of performing updates, adding new stations, new network elements, new equipment types, new equipment models, and so on. Therefore, the DCN configuration interface disclosed herein reduces or eliminates address conflicts and other misconfigurations during provisioning.